SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
(John 15:16) "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."
(John 15:5) "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
(John 15:1-4) (1) "I am the true vine, and my father is the husbandman." (2) "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." (3) "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." (4) "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me."
(John 15:6-10) (6) "If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." (7) "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (8) "Herein is my father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." (9) "As the father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love." (10) "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my father's commandments, and abide in his love."
PREFACE SUMMARY
Dear readers, I found an old photo of some seagulls standing in line like children with three of them calmly sitting on the hood of my 18-wheeler looking at me through the window which caused Google free images to make it available on their site for the calmness found in these wild birds that are always fighting one another is something to see especially the way they are lined up like little school children to minister to a hurting man of God.
This happened around 2008 near Salt Lake City, Utah when I was going through some heartening trials that would put some people on a psychiatrist's couch, but how many know when we are pressed out of ourselves; and we know Christ, then dear reader come on now; if we are pressed out of ourselves, then we are pressed into Christ for we know by experience that he our refuge an ever-present help in the time of trouble. (Psalms 46:1)
Beloved, did you know that there is a mastermind or creator behind our vast universe, and as we study the unique way everything is designed to function without drifting out of orbit ending life as we know it; our question would be, "Is that creator interested in man which is his greatest creation?"
This sermon message can be a powerful revelation concerning how to enter into the presence of God including how to benefit from the thousands of promises that are available to the believer.
(John 15:7) "If we abide in him and his words abide in us, we shall ask what we will and it shall be done unto us."
Dear readers, did you know abiding in Christ is the key to unlocking a fulfilling life? If you seek a life of purpose, meaning, and fulfillment, look no further than abiding in Christ. This powerful concept involves remaining connected to Jesus Christ and living every moment in His presence. By doing so, you'll experience a deeper relationship with God, receive spiritual nourishment, and access the power of the Holy Spirit. You'll also enjoy peace, joy, and love that surpasses all understanding.
Abiding in Christ isn't just about attending church or reading the Bible - it's a way of life. It means seeking God's will and following His guidance, even when it is difficult. By embracing this lifestyle, you'll unlock the full potential of your faith and grow in spiritual maturity, enjoying all the benefits that come with it.
Our life comes from Christ, who is the true vine. To abide in Him, we must find a way into the vine, and the good news is that God has provided a way for us to access the vine, and that way is through the precious blood of His dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
To enter into a deep connection with Christ, the true vine, we must confidently and wholeheartedly surrender our lives to Him. This involves accepting God's free pardon for our sins and acknowledging Him as our Lord and Savior without hesitation.
Today, many only turn to God when needed, treating Him as a backup plan. But we must understand that using God as a last resort is not considered abiding. Instead, it is a form of manipulation, and we are using God solely for our benefit. Therefore, it is crucial to have the confidence to surrender ourselves to God without any ulterior motives and trust Him to guide us on the right path.
We cannot have a worldly mindset that we can do our own thing and then turn to God for protection when things get tough. Instead, we must confidently remain faithful to Him and His promises, just as the Apostle Paul did.
When we confidently pursue God's calling for our lives, we experience exceptional spiritual growth and elevation in all aspects. This is known as "The Prayer of the Five-Fold Blessing," which covers crucial areas such as relationships, emotions, finances, and physical and spiritual well-being.
Dear readers, when unsure how to pray for someone, we should confidently ask the Lord to bless them in every area of their life. We can rest assured that God will meet them exactly where they are and bless them abundantly.
Let us remember to boldly pray for ourselves and others, asking the Lord to bless us in every area of our lives. This will provide us with a protective shield and enable us to confidently and joyfully receive the five-fold blessings of God.
"CHRIST THE VINE IS OUR SOURCE OF LIFE"
Beloved reader, as we begin this message on abiding in Christ and how important it is to maintain a healthy relationship with him, may we take note of where we were and what frame of mind we were in when the glorious light of the gospel came shinning into our life which caused us to view life differently.
Did you know that the vine spoken of in our founding scriptures found in the fifteenth chapter of St. John's gospel, represents Christ, who is the very essence of life, for our connection to life is found in him and outside of Christ the vine we have no way of producing life on our own, yes dear reader, our connection to life found in Christ and him alone.
My friend, let me share an inspiring article I read about how a vine grows. It creates a tricky spot for a branch to grow from, but the vine produces runners that cross to make a complex place in the form of a cross so that a branch can shoot forth. These runners from the left grow to the right, and the ones from the right grow to the left, thus making a cross. This is a powerful reminder that the branch and the vine are joined at the cross.
Did you know our wonderful creator reveals his plan through nature to redeem humanity? This plan was kept secret in the Godhead from the foundation of the world. It is fascinating that we get our life nutrients from the vine, just like the blood running through our veins that carries the necessary oxygen and other nutrients we need to live.
The bottom line of this message is clear: we must be connected to the vine to live the abundant life we all crave. This is an undeniable truth that we should embrace with confidence and faith.
(John 15:16) "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you."
My dear friends, let us never forget that Christ is the very essence of life. Through Him, we exist and have our being. We must strive for perfection and trust in God's promise that he will complete the work he started in us until the day of the Lord Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)
It is abundantly clear from these scriptures that God has chosen us, and he did so even before the world's creation. Therefore, since God initiated the work in us, it is his responsibility to complete it. All that is required from us is to surrender our lives to him, abide in his love, and remain steadfast in his grace. Let us be confident in the knowledge that God will accomplish his work in us, and let us be bold in our faith and trust in him.
"MAINTAINING A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD"
Dear readers, did you know that God's Holy Bible, His constitution between God and man, is the only book that will read you, and did you know that our abiding in Christ requires us not to neglect our prayer life and quiet time with God our Father? To be successful in life, we need our spiritual connection to Christ the vine. And when that part is secure, everything else will fall into place.
Beloved, did you know that if a branch is cut off, the vine continues to live because the life is in the vine, not the branch? The branch needs the vine connection to live, and when we have arrived on our spiritual journey to a place where we are abiding in the love of Christ, we have been elevated to a place in God where we can receive fresh revelation and direction for each day we are blessed to live. If we abide in Christ and get into trouble, we can claim God's particular promise to be with us in trouble.
Beloved, the bottom line to this entire message of abiding in Christ the vine is solitude and relationship, which can best be described as, "For there to be life, there has to be conception, and for there to be conception, there has to be intimacy, and there can be no intimacy if we are not connected to the vine."
Dear readers, most people love their privacy, and they do not open their curtains and allow others to see what goes on inside the four walls of their home because that is personal. The sacredness of what goes on in the house is between the man, the wife, and the children.
What goes on in the home requires trust and commitment between a man and his wife. This is a time of intimacy where nothing is secret because both partners see and know everything about each other. They are not ashamed for their secrets to be known that way because they are bonded together under the covenant of marriage.
Beloved, do you remember the old saying, "What goes on in the home stays at home?" Therefore, the sacredness about what takes place in a family requires trust and commitment between you and your wife because this is a time of intimacy where nothing is secret because both partners see and know everything about each other and are not ashamed because they are bonded together under the covenant of marriage.
Did you know that the same sacredness, commitment, and trust required in marriage holds in our spiritual walk with God? When we come to know the Lord personally, we do not leave His presence and disclose what He has revealed to outsiders.
As we seek the Lord by solitude, prayer, and consecration, including spending time in His word, we get to know Him intimately. We are learning what He likes and dislikes so we may please Him, and when we come to know the Lord personally, we do not leave His presence and disclose what He has revealed to outsiders.
Did you know that in our most sacred, intimate times with our Lord, something will be spiritually conceived in us? Therefore, may we remember that this precious seed conceived in us must be hidden and protected as it goes through the growing process until it is ready to come forth.
Beloved, some of you reading this message are already pregnant with the plan and destiny the Living God has chosen for you. You are about to give birth. Therefore, beloved, what would be wrong with pausing and thinking about that precious life dropping into your spiritual birth canal? It will cause your water to break forth as your gift enters a confused, hurting world.
Beloved Saints of God and fellow peers, I pray that as you read this message, the blessed Living God will begin to birth and develop something inside you. Note that although you may not see it for a while in the natural, I assure you that God will bring it forth and birth it into reality in His time.
God has a set time for all things to come forth, and Church, that is why we must return to purity and holiness before our perfect Creator. He says we must follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
"LET OUR LIGHT SHINE FOR GOD"
Dear reader, did you know that for a branch to live, flourish, and produce fruit, it must be connected to the vine? The vine gives the branch life; without the connection, the branch cannot grow fruit. We must abide in the vine (Christ) to partake of God's glory.
Jesus wanted to reveal these spiritual truths to his disciples because they must maintain a relationship with God and their fellow servants, which is still valid today. The vine is our source of life that gives us what we need to bear fruit, and bearing fruit is what our Christian life is all about.
Allowing Christ to live his life through us is why we are saved. We can be a light to a confused world looking for answers. Therefore, if we love the Lord and have his love for souls deep within our hearts, we will abide in the vine and bear fruit.
Sometimes, we become confused with our minds playing tricks on us. We may feel like we want to sit somewhere and cry. Let's imagine ourselves in a dark room or cave with a pinhole of light shining in. If we have some matches with us, we can strike a match, and the flicker and flame of that little match can make all the difference in the world to us.
Dear readers, what little bit we do for God in this dark world looking for answers could be compared to the hope that the little match made in a desperate situation by giving light to show where everything was in the room.
When I accepted Christ into my life, his Spirit began a work of grace in me, and I became under new management. I am no longer my own but have been bought at a great price. God’s Spirit produces his character in my life, teaching me the preciousness of having an intimate working relationship with him by abiding in Christ the Vine.
My relationship with God is like no other, as it is not based on material possessions, temporary friendships, or relationships. Instead, it is founded on an intimate connection with the one who planned every aspect of my life from the beginning to the end. This brings me assurance, even beyond the grave.
My walk with God is a precious friendship that fills me with joy as I feel his life flowing through me, providing me with the daily encouragement and strength I need to carry on.
Beloved, abiding in Christ can bring you countless benefits that will enrich your life and improve your relationships with others, and by staying connected to Christ, you will find inner peace, strength, and guidance to navigate life's challenges.
The bottom line is that the Lord said in his word that people perish without vision. Therefore, discovering our purpose drives our vision, and knowing that God has a purpose for my life gives me an unshakable hope that acts as an anchor to my soul.
Don't wait any longer to experience the fantastic benefits of abiding in Christ, the trustworthy source of life, and let his glory radiate our innermost light within, spreading it far and wide to illuminate the world with God's grace that will bring hope to those who need it most.
"ENTERING HIS PRESENCE"
Dear readers, it is essential to know that once we have discovered how to enter God's presence, we must learn to abide in it, and this will require genuine worship from us that begins by recognizing God's divinity and glimpsing His holiness.
Beloved, once we learn how to abide in His presence, we will begin to understand that our relationship with Him depends on how much we value and admire Him.
We worship God, who lives in our hearts, by praising Him with our voices. Our vocalized worship and praise can unleash God's presence, breaking the burdens that try to hold us captive. True worship captures God's attention and helps us focus on His love and sacrifice for us.
Spending time alone in solitude with God is crucial to hearing His voice and preaching His Word with authority and power. Jesus advised us to pray in private, where Satan cannot listen to us, and we can experience the shield of God's love.
It's time to go beyond the sanctuary of worship and develop a deeper relationship with Christ, who is not a mere human but an eternal being. Nothing should replace being in His presence because to be used by God; we must get past regular worship, which is filled with artificial forms and agendas that exemplify the flesh more than the creator.
I am talking about when church becomes more than good meetings and good preaching, for we will experience true revival when we get tired of church in the norm with the world being able to sit comfortably in our sessions where there is no conviction of their sin and way of life.
Our relationship with Christ should be our top priority, as everything else, including people, places, and things, will one day end. Our direct relationship with Christ will determine how much God can trust us in the future. Therefore, let's approach Him with holy reverence and acknowledge Him as the Most-High God who made us His sons and daughters.
This message is a confident reminder of the truth we must share. When we enter into solitude and seek God's presence with our whole hearts, we are guaranteed by His word that we shall find Him. Through this message, God calls us to become instruments for His divine purpose.
We cannot minister what we have not received, but when we abide in the vine, which is Christ, and we dwell in Him, the powers of darkness cannot permeate. It is our private time of knowing God and experiencing Him in a way that can only be described as complete intimacy.
The Holy Scriptures reveal that great men of God trembled as they fell on their faces when they found themselves in the presence of the holy Angels of God.
We can only imagine what it will be like to meet this awesome Eternal being one day and give an account of our lives.
This Awesome Creator has extended to each of us an invitation to accept His pardon and grace through the finished work of His Son, Jesus Christ, and what the church needs most today is a fresh encounter with the holiness and presence of God.
Dear readers, please know that we have been entrusted with the most significant news on Earth - that Jesus Christ came to save sinners. So, let us go out of the outer court of the sanctuary and into the inner court of His presence and grace. Let us be confident in the truth we have received and share it boldly with the world.
This Awesome Creator has extended unto each of us an invitation to accept his pardon and his grace through the finished work of his Son Jesus Christ who willfully gave his life as a ransom for all that will call upon his name in true repentance.
May we together take a moment and thank God for all he has done for us and praise him for his amazing grace which is available to all that will call upon his mighty name for beloved I feel a stirring in my spirit as this Awesome God is calling us to come out of the outer court of the sanctuary and into the inner court of his presence and grace.
Did you know that when we abide in the vine which is Christ, and we dwell in him the essence of life itself, the powers of darkness cannot pervade for it is our private time of knowing God and experiencing Him in a way that can only be described as complete intimacy?
Dear readers, I love to tell people that approach me concerning my walk with Christ that they can drink from the same fountain that I drink from, and that beloved is the fresh clear water of the Holy Spirit by spending time with him in solitude.
We have been entrusted with the most significant news on Earth - that Jesus Christ came to save sinners. Let this message serve as a clarion call, a confident reminder of the truth we must share with the world.
(John 3:16) “For God so loved the world (man) that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life"
I strongly believe that my gift of writing is not meant for monetary gain but to profoundly impact people's lives, and that is why I have never attempted to collect funds from my books on Hub Pages or any other social media platform. I am confident in the value of my writing and its ability to bring positive change to the world.
Dear readers, please know that if you are that important to God, then you are important to me and I am interested in hearing from you therefore after reading this message and God has used it to touch your heart, why not surrender your life to him today and have your name written in his book of life which will grant you access into the vine that you may reap the benefits that are described in this message, and
if you should commit your life to Christ, please send me an email letting me know which will allow me to share in your new walk with God? Free Book PDF Manuscripts which you can get from this website. www.withredhand.org
MY CONCLUSION
Abiding in Christ is a life-changing experience that offers a multitude of benefits. By staying connected to the source of our salvation, we can grow in our faith and enjoy the peace and joy that comes from knowing Him.
Through this message, we have discovered that abiding in Christ the true vine, we can face life's challenges with courage and hope, knowing we are not alone. It means we can experience the power of His love and grace in our daily lives because the benefits of abiding in Christ are truly profound and life-changing.
When we as believers stay connected to Jesus Christ, we will experience unparalleled spiritual growth, develop an unbreakable bond with God, and live a peaceful and fulfilling life that surpasses all understanding.
We must wake up to our calling and strip ourselves of the love of this world, including the love of self. Instead, we should turn to the Lord with our whole hearts, fast, and pray with tears until we hear from heaven, remembering that as believers, we are subject to Christ, the risen head of the church. Therefore, we can confidently break Satan's hold over us by invoking the name of Jesus and submitting to a new authority.
As a surrendered believer, we are not controlled by superstitions, curses, or charms. Though Satan is considered the god of this world, we are no longer under his authority or control.
Dear readers, if we study Ephesians in the first chapter, the twenty-first verse, we will discover that the scripture mentioned here refers to Christ being raised from the dead and exalted far above all various orders of angels, demons, and powers.
(Ephesians 1:21) “Far above all principality and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world but also in that which is to come:”
If we look at verses twenty-two and twenty-three, we will find that the scriptures clearly state that Paul is not speaking of church affiliation but his church on earth, which is his body made up of believers who have accepted him as their Lord and Savior. Instead, we are under new management and leadership if we abide in Christ.
(Ephesians 1:22) “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,” (23) “23] Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”
In June 2018, after returning from a mission trip in the Philippines, I was driving my truck on Interstate 90 in Montana. I noticed a young bald eagle gliding alongside my passenger side mirror, which amazed me. Unfortunately, I didn't have my phone nearby to capture a photo of this once-in-a-lifetime event.
Soon after, the Lord's presence became very strong in my truck, and I heard the voice of His Spirit asking me to rewrite one of my old books about the True Vine. I informed the Lord that I had given the manuscript to others, and they had written books from it. But He replied in my spirit, "I want you to rewrite it."
I said, "Lord, give me something to write," He replied, "Strength through the Vine." I instantly thought of the molting period of the eagle, especially after having an eagle just minutes before this visitation from the Lord glide beside my truck.
God confirmed His word to me through the voice of His Spirit and the actual occurrence of a young eagle gliding beside my truck at more than sixty miles an hour. He has given me a need to rewrite that book. I will never forget what happened when I asked for something else, and He replied, "The Test of Strength."
Beloved, I instantly had a vision of what happens when you squeeze toothpaste. Suddenly, a thought entered my mind, clarifying what people see when they squeeze us the wrong way.
Throughout my life and ministry in the Philippines, I have been reminded of the valuable knowledge God taught me about His character. He is looking for those who are specifically chosen to lead others.
We can tell a seasoned leader that is ready to lead by watching how they conduct themselves in the presence of others. They understand the value of teamwork and the importance of leading by example instead of leading by using the authority granted unto them by their position.
When we abide in Christ, we learn not to attempt to relive our past. We will be ready to be used by God. Like King David said, "Let us look to the hills of the Lord from which cometh our help and strength." He was not speaking about the mountains around him where he could see the campfires of his enemies.
Dear readers, I cherish my walk with God and appreciate that He is interested in me. When He wakes me up around three to pray, I respectfully approach Him. I wear a shirt, wash my face, brush my teeth, and comb my hair before the King of the universe.
I get a Bible from my bookcase, turn on some soft worship music, and place a pillow before my chair where I have carefully placed my Bible. I begin to talk to God, asking Him to guide me into His plan and purpose for my life.
Sometimes, my God is so real to me that when I cut myself a piece of cake, I find myself cutting Him one, too. The Holy Spirit seems excited because God stated in His Word that He would withhold no good thing from us. He declares that it is His good pleasure to give us the mysteries of the Kingdom.
International Evangelist
Jerry W. Hulse Ph.D.
Miracle Life Church International
MY CLOSING PRAYER
Dear Lord, I am confident that this message will be received with open hearts by those who take the time to read it, and Father, I ask that you bless each person who, through this message, has surrendered their life more to your purpose. I know you have already begun a great work in their life and ministry, and I pray you intensify it even more.
Lord, I know that you will bless them spiritually, financially, physically, relationally, and emotionally so that their life may be enriched, and they will, in turn, enrich the lives of others. I am confident that your will, purpose, word, and Spirit will have a free course in their life and in the lives of those they encounter.
In Jesus' mighty name, I declare that you will touch, heal, and deliver all who read this prayer and call upon your name. I know that you will meet their needs wherever they are and break all curses and negative words spoken against them.
Dear Lord, I am confident that you will awaken the gifts and talents placed in them from birth so that they may become unified in the faith with other believers, realizing the need to work together in harmony as a fine-tuned orchestra in your hands.
Heavenly Father, thank you for your tremendous love and blessings. I am confident that we can rest in knowing that you have promised never to leave nor forsake us and that you will go with us all the way, even to the end of the world.
Please forgive us for failing to remember that you know our needs before we ask. You went to the cross to pay our sin debt so that we could be adopted into your royal family as Sons and Daughters sharing with you in your glory.
Father, I am confident through this humble prayer that you will enlarge our borders and place your hand of blessing upon us to guide us on the path you have chosen for us. We need your divine guidance to walk fully in your blessing and goodness as you lead us by your Spirit to divine appointments. I am confident that you will deliver us from evil and temptation.
Dear Lord, I am confident that your blessed holy name will be glorified throughout the Earth as you leave your signature through us to future generations. Lord, I ask that you assign an angel to accompany this work into the homes of every person who will take time to read it.
Help us stand firm together, activating our faith. In these trying times, I am confident that we can find rest in knowing that we can depend on you, our God, "Our Father," to come on the scene to direct our path and guide our footsteps. We must understand that our dependence for survival is upon you.
Lord, help us realize that we represent your glorious body on Earth. There is strength in numbers; we need each other to be fruitful and live a prosperous life as your people. I am confident that we will not be careless and prideful in our Christian walk but realize that we are a part of something bigger than ourselves, your glorious body as sons and daughters in your royal family and kingdom.
Father, I pray you will stir us up and burden our hearts for true revival in every country worldwide. Demonstrate to the people in these countries that you are the Unchanging God, for your word declares it. What you were yesterday, you are today and will be tomorrow! (Hebrews 13:8)
Dear Lord, I ask you to bless each person who has taken the time to read this message and humbly surrendered their life more to your purpose, that you intensify the work that you have begun in their life and ministry in Jesus' mighty name.
Lord, I pray that you shower your abundant blessings upon them with the five-fold prayer: spiritually, financially, physically, relationally, and emotionally, that your divine intervention and blessings will enrich their life and empower them to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
Dear Lord, I pray that your will, purpose, word, and Spirit will have a free course in their life and in the lives of those they encounter, and Father, I am confident that anyone reading this prayer who needs deliverance from some oppressing spirit, including some illnesses that may be attacking their body, will be set free by your Holy Spirit.
Father, according to your blessed Holy word, I am confident that you will raise a standard against these attacks and deliver these precious people in Jesus' mighty name.
Lord, I pray that the power of your written and spoken word be activated through the authority that is made available unto us that is in the name of Jesus, and I apply the following scriptures to our prayer believing that you have heard and answered us according to your divine will and purpose, for it is in Jesus mighty name we pray and ask these favors. A-Men
(John 16:23) "And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you." (Psalms 34:15) "The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry."
